Seventeen prospects were in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for night one of the 2026 NFL draft. However, two of those players had to wait until day two. One of them was Tennessee Volunteers cornerback Colton Hood. With the fifth pick in the second round of the 2026 NFL draft, Hood was chosen as the newest New York Giants rookie.
Both Giants head coach John Harbaugh and general manager Joe Schoen have raved about their second-round corner. Hood was a player whom some teams had a first-round grade on. New York was ecstatic to see Hood available at the top of the second. Based on his skill set and play style, Hood has serious potential to be a starter in 2026.
What impact can New York Giants rookie Colton Hood have in year one?
Colton Hood learned from previous NFL players when he was growing up
In certain cases, some players are bred to play a position. That was true for Colton Hood as a kid. His uncle, Roderick, played 10 seasons in the NFL at cornerback. It’s no surprise Colton has found his way to the NFL playing the same position as his uncle. New York drafted Hood with a second-round pick. Growing up, Colton learned from his uncle Roderick. He also spent time learning from an eight-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro.
When Patrick Peterson was with the Arizona Cardinals, he trained with Hood’s uncle Roderick. Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post shared a clip on X of Hood listening to Peterson’s advice when he was 13 or 14. He mentioned Peterson as one of his influences and someone that he still looks up to. Peterson is one of the greats from his era and will be eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2029. New York Giants rookie Colton Hood has had the honor of learning from an elite cornerback.
Who will Colton Hood compete with for a starting role on New York’s defense?
The next few months will be telling for the New York Giants rookie cornerback. How quickly can he adapt to playing in the NFL? His first opportunity to put his skills on display is the rookie mini camp starting May 8. Additionally, OTAs and the mandatory minicamp will let the team know where Hood stands. Heading into his first season, who will Hood compete with for a starting role?
On New York’s depth chart, Paulson Adeebo and Greh Newsome II are the starters on the outside. Adeebo is on a three-year deal with New York that runs through the 2027 season. He was the team’s top corner in 2025. Newsome was signed to a one-year “prove-it” deal with the Giants. In previous years, Newsome played at a high level. However, he struggled last season with Cleveland and Jacksonville. It’s unlikely Hood overtakes Adeebo’s starting role. The same cannot be said for Newsome.
Inconsistency held Newsome back in 2025. He was traded mid-season from the Browns to the Jaguars. In less than two weeks, he will turn 26. Even if he doesn’t start in 2026, Newsome is a solid depth piece at cornerback. New York’s Dru Phillips is the latest Giants rookie in 2024 to earn time as a starter. Now, he starts at nickel corner for 2026.
Another Giants rookie corner to play a significant role in year one was Deonte Banks in 2023. He made 15 starts. Unfortunately, Banks has struggled with consistency, much like Newsome. Recently, the Giants declined Banks 5th-year option. Greg Newsome and Deonte Banks stand in the way of Hood being a starter. If the 2026 New York Giants rookie competes at a high level, he’ll easily earn the job. In an NFL draft recap article, one anonymous SEC coordinator told ESPN, “His best football is still ahead of him. He’s a tough guy who can run. He’ll do well.”
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